Nape pad / chin strap retention assemblies for ballistic helmets

ABSTRACT

There is provided a protective helmet assembly that includes a shell, a suspension band, and an adjustable headband and a crown pad. The shell is constructed from at least PARA-ARAMID to provide ballistic protection. The adjustable headband and the crown pad each have a plurality of screw less connectors for directly securing the adjustable headband and the crown pad to the suspension band without screws. A nape pad subassembly is adjustably coupled to the shell via rear fasteners. A chin strap subassembly is adjustably coupled between the front fasteners and the nape pad subassembly by a multi-connection point coupling.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/812,693, filed on Mar. 30, 2004.

BACKGROUND

1. Technology Field

The present principles relate to helmets for applications requiring protection of the head against ballistic and other impacts. More particularly, it relates to nape pad and chin strap assemblies for such helmets to provide increased retention and stability on the wearer's head during use.

2. Background

Various forms of military helmets and the like are known in the prior art. These helmets are constructed to protect the wearer's head against injury. In addition, modern combat requires military personnel to utilize certain helmet-mounted electronic systems, for example, night vision systems and helmet mounted displays.

Various suspension systems for supporting a military helmet relative to the head of a wearer are also known in the art. Typical suspension systems of the prior art are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,897,596 and 3,994,023. In each of the suspensions shown in these patents, a rigid suspension frame is formed with an upwardly opening outer peripheral channel for receiving the lower edge of the shell of the helmet. Straps of a crown structure for receiving the top of the wearer's head are secured to the suspension frame at spaced locations there around, while pads cooperating with one another to form a peripheral headband are independently secured to the same suspension frame.

Although such suspensions satisfactorily achieve the objects of their invention, certain areas remain for improvement. The need for improved suspensions arises particularly in the case of heavier, ballistic-impact-resistant helmets and also when adding ancillary equipment to a helmet. These heavier helmets create the need for a suspension system that permits adjustment of the helmet's center of gravity relative to the wearer, as well as providing increased stability and retention of the helmet on the head. Further, the suspension system should minimize pressure points on the head that might cause discomfort. Aside from these requirements arising from the use of heavier ballistic-type helmets, it is also desirable that a suspension system accommodate a range of head sizes and allow easy servicing or replacement of components.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,584,073 discloses an integrated helmet system having an outer shell and an inner helmet subassembly. The inner helmet subassembly has a shell and a headband. The shell has a frame portion that extends around the head of a wearer. The headband supports the frame in an adjustable relationship to position an inner surface of a visor relative to the eyes of a wearer. Non-rear crown straps are secured at their lower ends to the frame and through and to the headband. Rear crown straps are secured at their lower ends to a shell of the inner helmet assembly. The upper ends of the non-rear and rear crown straps are stitched to form loops through which a cord is passed. The ends of the cord are tied to retain the crown strap loops over the crown pad. The adjustment of the cord length adjusts the vertical position of the headband and frame relative to the head of the wearer. However, an inner and outer helmet arrangement is neither necessary nor feasible in many circumstances.

Accordingly, it would be desirable and highly advantageous to have a protective helmet assembly with a lightweight suspension system that is especially suitable for use with heavier, ballistic-impact-resistant materials, that permits adjustment of the helmet's center of gravity relative to the wearer, that provides increased stability and retention of the helmet on the head, that minimizes pressure points on the head, that accommodates a range of head sizes, and that allows easy servicing or replacement of components.

SUMMARY

The problems stated above, as well as other related problems of the prior art, are solved by the present invention, a protective helmet assembly having a lightweight suspension system.

According to an aspect of invention, there is provided a protective helmet assembly that includes a shell, a suspension band, and an adjustable headband and a crown pad. The shell is constructed from at least PARA-ARAMID to provide ballistic protection. The adjustable headband and the crown pad each have a plurality of screw less connectors for directly securing the adjustable headband and the crown pad to the suspension band without screws. A nape pad subassembly is adjustably coupled to the shell via rear fasteners. A chin strap subassembly is adjustably coupled between the front fasteners and the nape pad subassembly by a multi-connection point coupling.

These and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a protective helmet assembly, according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a cross-sectional view of the shell of the protective helmet assembly of FIG. 1, according to an illustrative embodiment of the present principles;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a right side view of the lightweight suspension system of FIG. 1, according to an illustrative embodiment of the present principles;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a front view of the lightweight suspension system of FIG. 1, according to an illustrative embodiment of the present principles;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a rear view of the lightweight suspension system of FIG. 1, according to an illustrative embodiment of the present principles;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating top view of the lightweight suspension system of FIG. 1, according to an illustrative embodiment of the present principles; and

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a fastener for connecting the suspension band, the nape pad, and the chinstrap subassembly of the lightweight suspension system to the helmet shell, according to an illustrative embodiment of the present principles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present principles are directed to a protective helmet assembly having a lightweight suspension system. The protective helmet assembly provides ballistic and other impact protection to a wearer. The suspension system permits adjustment of the helmet's center of gravity relative to the wearer, provides increased stability and retention of the helmet on the head, minimizes pressure points on the head, accommodates a range of head sizes, and allows easy servicing or replacement of components.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a protective helmet assembly 100, according to an illustrative embodiment of the present principles. The protective helmet assembly 100 includes a shell 110. The protective helmet assembly 100 further includes a lightweight suspension system 150. The suspension system 150 has a suspension band 160 attached to shell 110. The suspension system 150 further includes a headband 170 and a crown pad 180 directly secured to suspension band 160 without screws.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a cross-sectional view of the shell 110 of the protective helmet assembly 100 of FIG. 1, according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. The shell 110 is fabricated from at least PARA-ARAMID 210 to provide ballistic protection.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a right side view of lightweight suspension system 150 of FIG. 1, according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. As noted above, suspension system 150 has suspension band 160 attached to shell 110 (not shown in FIG. 3) and further has headband 170 and crown pad 180 directly secured to suspension band 160.

The headband 170 is directly secured to suspension band 160 via loops 305. Each of loops 305 may be formed from a strap that is folded into a loop. Each of loops 305 may be formed of nylon and include a hook-and-loop fastener 320. However, it is to be appreciated that loops 305 may be formed of any suitable material and may include any suitable type of fastener.

For each of the loops 305 that attaches headband 170 to suspension band 160, another hook and loop fastener 322 is employed “underneath” loop 305 in between and as part of both headband 170 and suspension band 160. Thus, for each of the loops 305, there is hook and loop fastener 320 on the headband 170 for wrapping around suspension band 160 and another hook and loop fastener 322 having portions on both the contact areas of headband 170 and suspension band 160 that are under a given one of the loops 305 when that loop is fastened.

The crown pad 180 is directly secured to suspension band 160 via loops 310 and straps 315. The loops 310 and straps 315 that attach crown pad 180 to suspension band 160 may be formed from nylon or any other suitable material. The crown pad 180 includes a mesh portion 198 and a re-enforced edge portion 197. The mesh portion 198 provides load distribution.

The loops 310 that attach crown pad 180 to suspension band 160 include first rear loops 310 a and second rear loops 310 b. The first rear loops 310 a are attached to suspension band 160, and the second rear loops 310 b are attached to first rear loops 310 a and crown pad 180. The first rear loops 310 a may be formed of straps and the second rear loops 310 b may be formed of cord. However, it is to be appreciated that the loops 310 a and 310 b may be formed of any suitable configurations including but not limited to straps and cord.

The suspension band 160 is attached to shell 110 via fasteners 180. Referring now to FIG. 7, a diagram is provided illustrating one of the fasteners 180 a of FIG. 1, according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. The fastener 180 a connects, at the least, suspension band 160 of suspension system 150 to shell 110. The metal fastener 180 a may include a screw 791 and a clip 792. The screw 791 may have a head portion 793 and a threaded portion 794. The clip 792 is for receiving threaded portion 794 of screw 791 and for providing a surface of adjustable tension between at least suspension band 160 and shell 110.

The clip 792 may include a raised portion 795 for receiving threaded portion 794 of screw 791 and for allowing one or more grommets 796 to pass there through. The grommets 796 may be located on any straps corresponding to a chinstrap or nape pad (i.e., first sets of nylon straps 350 a and 350 b) as described below. The suspension band 160 includes apertures 477 for allowing raised portion 795 of clip 792 and threaded portion 794 of screw 791 to at least partially pass there through. That is, the apertures 477 allow for the raised portion 795 of clip 792 inserted from one side of the suspension band 160 (and through a corresponding grommet 796) to mate with the threaded portion 794 of screw 791 inserted from the other side of the suspension band 160.

Referring again to FIG. 3, as well as to FIGS. 1-2 and 4-6, the suspension system 150 further includes a nape pad and chinstrap subassembly 324. FIGS. 4-6 are diagrams illustrating a front, a rear, and a top view of the lightweight suspension system 150 of FIG. 1, respectively, according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

The nape pad and chinstrap subassembly 324 includes a nape pad subassembly 330 and a chinstrap subassembly 340. The nape pad subassembly 330 is for providing fore and aft positioning of the protective helmet assembly 100 relative to a nape of a neck of a wearer. The nape pad subassembly 330 may be attached to shell 110 via at least some of the metal fasteners 180 a,b. The metal fasteners 180 maintain suspension band 160 in a fixed position with respect to shell 110 while at least some of the metal fasteners 180 a,b provide adjustment of the fore and aft positioning of protective helmet assembly 100 relative to the nape of the neck of the wearer.

The chinstrap subassembly 340 is for securing a position of protective helmet assembly 100 relative to a chin of a wearer. The chinstrap subassembly 340 is attached to shell 110 via at least some of the metal fasteners 180 c,d. The metal fasteners 180 maintain suspension band 160 in a fixed position with respect to shell 110 while at least some of the metal fasteners 180 c,d provide adjustment of the position of protective helmet assembly 100 relative to the chin of the wearer.

The nape pad subassembly 330 and chinstrap subassembly 340 respectively include a nape pad portion 360 and a chinstrap portion 370 joined together using a coupling 355. The nape pad portion 360 may be constructed of at least leather.

The chinstrap portion 370 includes a first nylon strap 372 for securing under the chin and a second nylon strap 374 connected to first nylon strap 372 for securing in front of the chin.

The coupling 355 includes a first set of straps 376, a first set of strap joiners 378, and a first set of strap clips 380. Each of strap joiners 378 has a first connection point 381, a second connection point 382, and a third connection point 383. Each of straps 376 is respectively connected to one of the strap clips 380 and to the first connection point 381 of one of the strap joiners 378, with adjustment provided the strap clip 380.

The second connection point 382 of each strap joiner 378 is respectively connected to the chinstrap portion 370 via a quick release latch 386 (on the right side of nape pad and chinstrap subassembly 324) and a strap clip (on the left side, see 420 of FIG. 4). The quick release latch 386 provides a quick release of the chinstrap portion 370 from the chin of the wearer.

The third connection point 383 of each of strap joiners 378 is respectively connected to shell 110 via straps 350 b, adjustment clips 455, and at least some of the metal fasteners 180 c,d.

The nape pad subassembly 330 includes nylon straps 350 a that are attached to shell 110 via at least some of the metal fasteners 180 a,b.

The headband 170 includes a nylon band 390 and a hook-and-loop fastener 392 for adjusting a circumference of the nylon band 390. The headband 170 further includes a leather band 394 for overlaying over a portion of the nylon band 390 that is in contact with the head of a wearer.

The suspension band 160 includes a nylon band 396 as a layer thereof. The suspension band 160 is disposed around an inner surface of shell 110 so as to allow air to pass between suspension band 160 and the inner surface of shell 110.

The crown pad 180 is disposed away from the inner surface of shell 110 to allow air circulation between crown pad 180 and the inner surface of shell 110.

The crown pad 180 includes an outer leather ring 397 and an inner nylon mesh portion 398. The inner nylon mesh portion 398 is for allowing air to contact the crown portion of the head of a wearer. Moreover, the crown pad 180 includes a hook and loop fastener 396 and a leather re-enforcement portion 399 having grommets 896 thereon for allowing nylon cord 310 b to pass there through to adjust the position of the crown pad 180. Additional re-enforcement straps 610 are disposed on the top rear portion of crown pad 180.

Although the illustrative embodiments have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the present principles are not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may be affected therein by one of ordinary skill in the related art without departing from the scope or spirit of the same. All such changes and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present principles as defined by the appended claims. 

1. A nape pad assembly for ballistic helmets comprising: a shell made from at least para-aramid to provide ballistic protection; first retention straps having one end fixedly connected to said shell of the ballistic helmet, and a second end; a nape pad receiving the second ends of said retention straps; a coupling including strap joiners and coupling said nape pad to a first of three connection points of said strap joiners.
 2. The nape pad assembly of claim 1, wherein said coupling further comprises coupling straps having one end originating from said nape pad and a second end coupled to the first connection point of the strap joiners.
 3. The nape pad assembly of claim 2, further comprising adjustment means disposed on said retention straps for enabling length adjustment of the same.
 4. The nape pad assembly of claim 1, further comprising a chin strap assembly, said chinstrap assembly comprising: second retention straps having one end fixedly connected to the shell of the ballistic helmet and a second end connected a third connection point of said strap joiners; and a chinstrap portion having chin straps connected at each end to a second of the three connection points of the strap joiners.
 5. The nape pad assembly of claim 4, further comprising adjustment means disposed on said second retention straps for adjusting the length of the same.
 6. The nape pad assembly of claim 4, further comprising: adjustment means disposed on said chin straps for adjusting the length of the same; and a quick release clip connected to one end of said chin straps at said second connection point.
 7. A nape pad stability and retention assembly for ballistic helmets comprising: a shell made from at least para-aramid to provide ballistic protection; first retention straps having one end fixedly connected to said shell of the ballistic helmet, adjustment means and a second end; strap joiners having three connection points, said second end of said first retention straps being connected to a third of said three connection points; second retention straps having one end fixedly connected to a shell of the ballistic helmet; and a second end; a nape pad receiving said second ends of said second retention straps; coupling straps having one end originating from said nape pad and a second end coupled to a first of said three connection points of said strap joiners; and adjustment means disposed on said coupling straps for enabling length adjustment of the same.
 8. The nape pad assembly of claim 7, further comprising adjustment means disposed on said first retention straps for adjusting the length of the same.
 9. The nape pad assembly of claim 7, further comprising a chinstrap assembly, said chinstrap assembly comprising: a chinstrap portion having chin straps connected to a second of said three connection points of said strap joiners; and adjustment means disposed on said chin straps.
 10. The nape pad assembly of claim 9, further comprising a quick release clip connected to one end of said chin straps at said connection point.
 11. A protective helmet assembly comprising: a shell having front and rear fasteners and being constructed from at least para-aramid to provide ballistic protection; a nape pad subassembly adjustably coupled to the shell via said rear fasteners; a multi-connection point coupling; and a chin strap subassembly adjustably coupled between said front fasteners and said nape pad subassembly via said multi-connection point coupling.
 12. The protective helmet assembly of claim 11, further comprising: a nape pad forming part of said nape pad subassembly; and adjustable coupling straps disposed between said nape pad and said coupling.
 13. The protective helmet assembly of claim 11, further comprising: retention straps having one end adjustably connected to a shell of the ballistic helmet, and a second end connected to said coupling; said coupling including three connection points and strap joiners; a chinstrap portion having chin straps connected to a second of the three connection points of the strap joiners; and adjustment means disposed on said chin straps.
 14. The protective helmet assembly of claim 13, wherein said chinstrap adjustment means comprises a quick release clip connected to one end of said chin straps at said second connection point. 